New-York tribune., 1887-11-21
President and Secretary Bayard may we'll as
for speedy delivcrancc.
CONSCILNCE HOIING.


The conscience vote has been and viii be n
mower in poli1ics. Men who have the courage
and the nnninching fidelity TO record their
protest against wrongdoing. at the deliberate
sacrifice of their political associations, their
personal hopes and interests, are sure 10 haNo
I power over the minds OF thoughtful and con-
scicntious voters. But there is one thing ncccs-
sarv. in order to save the conscience vote from
Incoming sheer and wicked waste OF influence
and opportunities, and to make it power for
Good. Il must be conscience vote, In very
truth II must be cast for just cause, against
rcoI urono with intelligent knowledge Of the
focts and not so cast as to foster any greater
| wrong.
Sincere men who have been voting against
tho Republican party because of errors and
shortcomings in the past must sec that it Is
their duty to examine anew ikcr position in
tbc lioht of recent events. They believe the
party disposed to court the support of the liquor
interest. Whether they are mistaken or not
is now Of small consequence. The question is
whether they now have that reason Tor CON
tinucd opposition. They believe the party IN
clincd to wink at corrupt and fraudulent prac-
tees: AT misuse Of the public service Tor par
lisan ends: at the selection OF unworthy men
for office. Whether they were then in error
or not does not matter Their duty now is to
ask themselves sobclly whether these causes
for opposition still exist
Ono thing they must now see. Votes against
he Republican party help the liquor interest
and help the most corrupt and criminal polItl-
ciaus Of this generation. BaScr and more dcS-
N
nolitics of this country than many who have
come to the surface through Democratic Sue
cess. Higgins and the rest of Mr.. Gorman
aw- breakers have been made power IN the
Nation bv the voters who permitted the election
Of President Cleveland. The criminals who
stulTcd balIot-boxcS in Chicago, indianapolis
and Camden. and forged returns in Cincinnati
and Columbus. are made powerful and dan
ccrous because they have the open sympathy
the untiring defence or the active support OF
Federal officials and Of men in high places.
The Presidents appointments. whether of per
verse intent or in honest error
have rewarded for the baScSt par
ti>an services many conSpicuouNly I'M
worthy persons. Every vote which Increases
the chances Of Democratic success to-day - 1
vote 20 reward dishonest part tlsan,hip. and to
keen IN pubic office men who ought To be- IN
The pcnitcntiary That Is a state Of facts which
did not exist years ago, when 1t was honestly
hopcd by independent voters that Democratic
victory would result in cleaner administration.
# is n state Of facts which no CONSCIENTIOUS
voter can afford to overlook.
Fact, have changed not l'ss regarding The
attitude II parties toward the liquor question.
If men bciIcvc that the Republican party once
courtcd the favor Of the liquor interest, they
cannot in good faith hold that belief to-day,
for in honest cndcayor 10 give practical aid
to the cause # temperance the Rcpubicih
party has enacted laws in New York. in Ohio.
and in many other states which have gained
the hosthny Of the entire liquor interest.
There Is not an intelligent friend Of temperance
N this state who does not know that the organ
ilod saloon, Iborcd and furnished money for
Republican defeat at the last election. and be
cause Republican Lawmakers had voted for
cnactmcnts to restrain the traffic. There - not
IN honest temperance man in the state who
does not feel in his conscience that he - dong
service for the Iquor-SclIcrs # he refuses "A
Ncpublican vote.
An honest conscience vote viii never be cast
% hDp the very evil against which It pro-
fcsscdly protests. That Is a practical test Of
sincerity. and there are thousands II voters
who viii apply it for themselves hereafter.